St. Paul finished second at the 7-on-7 New England tournament held Tuesday at Peabody, Mass., losing 16-14 to St. John's Prep (Mass.).

From the ESPN Boston article on-line:

As St. John's Prep quarterback Mike Geaslen walked off the Bishop Fenwick High School football field, a teammate asked whether he was going to be at the next day's morning workout.

Geaslen held up the Under Armour Northeast 7-on-7 New England Championship trophy and said, “No man, I'm going to eat my cereal out of this cup.”

Prep, guided by the steady arm of Geaslen and its impressive list of offensive playmakers, defeated St Paul Catholic (Conn.) in the finals, 16-14, after grinding through pool play and a talent-laden bracket. The Eagles knocked off Chelmsford in the semifinals to set up a showdown with one of Connecticut's top teams.

During the finals, Thomas was charged with defending St. Paul receivers being fed by Logan Marchi, considered one of the top quarterbacks in Connecticut. Marchi, who verbally committed to UConn back in June, spent most of the day picking apart opposing defenses but was stonewalled by Prep during the final five minutes of the championship.

“That was a good quarterback. He was one of the best athletes on the field,” said Thomas, admitting that Marchi beat him a few times with accurate passes. “He throws some dimes.” 

UCONN FOOTBALL: Three Husky commits to enroll at Milford Academy

 Three players who committed to UConn, including two who signed national letters of intent to become Huskies in February, will be enrolling at Milford Academy and are hoping to enroll at UConn in January according to Milford Academy coach Bill Chaplick.

It was previously reported by the Register that Jordan Fuchs, a tight end from Malvern, N.Y., who was a two-sport star at Christ the King, was headed to Milford Academy. Chaplick confirmed that Orange (N.J.) High defensive back/receiver Jamar Summers and Chasz Wright, an offensive lineman out of Hylton High in Woodbridge, Va., will also be members of the 2013 Milford Academy squad.

“I like all three of them,” Chaplick said. “Hopefully it will work out and they will be there in January.”

Fuchs was one of the most intriguing players to sign with UConn. The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder was drawing some interest from Division I teams as a basketball prospect. Fuchs only played two seasons of high school football and had 52 catches for 866 yards for the Royals.
Wright had 55 tackles and seven sacks as a senior but he projects as an offensive lineman when he gets to UConn.

Summers was a game-breaking receiver at Orange High who is expected to play cornerback in college.

Chaplick said all three are still firmly committed to UConn and he doesn’t anticipate any academic issues with any of them.

Milford Academy starts practice on Aug. 10 and the Falcons opens up with a home game against Globe Institute on Aug. 24. The 12-game schedule also includes a trip to play the Yale JV squad on Oct. 20.

Ansonia running back Arkeel Newsome committed to play football at UConn Wednesday, according to Ansonia coach Tom Brockett.

Newsome was offered by the Huskies last summer. He was also offered by UMass and received interest from Rutgers and Syracuse.

"He was one of the kids they wanted," Brockett said. "I think it's awesome for him and his family. I think it's a good thing for UConn and that staff to keep the best kid in Connecticut at home."

Register reporter and UConn football beat writer Jim Fuller put together this information about Newsome:

The 5-foot-8, 180-pound Newsome ran 227 times for 2,245 yards and 38 touchdowns as a junior.

As a sophomore Newsome ran for 3,763 yards and 58 touchdowns in 14 games including scoring runs of 87, 95 and 98 yards. He ran for more than 300 yards in seven games including a 401-yard effort against Derby.

I spoke to Newsome before the start of his junior season and shortly after he was in attendance at UConn's 2012 season opener against UMass.

"It was a great experience and they won," Newsome said. "It was kind of weird because both of the schools gave me offers and I went to the game and UConn won.

"It was really exciting, they have an amazing crowd and I was happy to be a part it."

He is the fourth known commitment for the Class of 2014 and second from Connecticut joining St. Paul quarterback Logan Marchi.

YALE FOOTBALL: Defense shines, 1989 team honored at Blue-White game 

NEW HAVEN — Yale’s football future embraced its past Saturday afternoon as legendary coach Carm Cozza and his 1989 championship team were recognized following the Bulldogs’ annual Blue-White spring game.

Yale head coach Tony Reno, who will begin his second season this fall, is looking to build upon a winning tradition. And there was no better way for his 2013 squad to end its spring-practice session by taking a knee at the Yale Bowl and listening to Cozza speak about his last Ivy League championship team.

“It’s great to have the ’89 team back,” said Reno. “I think when you’re a program like this that has so much tradition and has so much success, to bring back a guy who was a Hall of Fame coach and his last championship team, and for an opportunity to put them in front of our players is something I embrace at every step.”

PHOTOS: Yale football scrimmage  

 

 UCONN FOOTBALL: Depleted Huskies still a defensive team  

EAST HARTFORD — This was a week of change in the world of UConn athletics, with the unveiling of new uniforms featuring a more ominous-looking mascot and groundbreaking on a basketball practice facility.

However, when the UConn football team took the field for its annual spring game, it looked as if some things haven’t changed. The defensive unit clearly still holds the upper hand over the offense.

During the 11-on-11 live portion of the scrimmage, the offense was unable to score a touchdown as the only scoring came on field goals of 46 and 20 yards by Bobby Puyol.

 

 SCSU FOOTBALL: Mallis hopes to be off and running for the Owls 

NEW HAVEN — Jack Mallis admitted he was a bit on edge heading into Southern Connecticut State’s annual spring football game.

Each of the past two seasons, Mallis, a junior running back, had limped off the field unable to finish the contest.

“I told my friends I felt a little weird about the game,” Mallis said. “My first year I played I pulled my hamstring. And last year I tore my PCL and my meniscus.”

But Mallis came out of Saturday’s contest injury free and hopes it’s an omen for a big season.
“It felt great to come out of this game healthy,” he said. “I think we’re headed in the right direction.”

Mallis and the Owls hope to improve on last season’s disappointing campaign when injuries and youth derailed the team’s season. There were games that Southern went as deep as its fourth-string quarterback to finish off contests.

The end result was a 3-8 mark in which the Owls were outscored 334-190.

 

 

 

 

Below is a list of players who have decided on their college destination.




Andre Anderson Hillhouse Univ. of New Haven
Andrew Barton Ridgefield Bryant
Ben Berey Glastonbury Tufts
Brendan Bilcheck Hand Bowdoin
Tim Boyle Xavier UConn
Caleb Camacho New London Sacred Heart
Chris Devaney Newtown Bryant
Jonah Dorsey Xavier Stonehill
Quinn Fleeting Windsor Central Conn. State
James Frusciante Staples Princeton
Pete Gerson Hand Yale
Peter Gesualdi Darien Hobart
Chris Golger Fairfield Prep Tufts
Pieter Hoets Staples Trinity
Darryn Horner Hillhouse Stonehill
Andrew Isaacs Manchester Maryland
Cory Jasudowich Cheshire Academy UConn
Andrew Kalach Watertown Sacred Heart
Kevin Kearney Staples Bowdoin
Nick Kelly Staples Amherst College
Mike Lasala Wilton Washington & Lee
Marcus Little Manchester Boston College
Kris Luster Xavier Wesleyan
Andrew Matos Ansonia Rhode Island
Sean Merrill Sheehan Sacred Heart
Tom Milone Masuk UConn (baseball)
Colin Moore Avon Furman (lacrosse)
Je’Vaughn Moore Hillhouse Monmouth
Ryheime Moore Windsor AIC
Ryan Murtha Montville Sacred Heart
Tommy Myers Coventry/Windham Tech UConn
Liam O’Neil Greenwich Tufts
Darick Orange Windham Tech Central Conn. State
Cole Ormsby Windsor UConn
Lance Ormsby Windsor Central Conn. State
Brandon Robertson Montville Sacred Heart
Hector Rodriguez Berlin Dean
Patsy Romero Wilton Plymouth State
Connor Rowe Ridgefield Bryant
Max Schumann Xavier Univ. of Chicago
George Smith Holy Cross Bryant
Max Tylki Xavier Brown
Kyle Vaughn Staples Fordham
Matt Walsh Hand UConn
Hal Chapman Wingo Avon Georgetown

FOOTBALL: Hand's Pete Gerson, Matt Walsh lead tenacious Tigers 'D'

By Chris Hunn, Register Staff
chunn@nhregister.com / Twitter: @Chris_Hunn

MADISON — Hand defensive end Pete Gerson is strong, explosive and boasts a tremendous motor.

“Pete,” Tigers coach Steve Fillippone said. ”In my opinion, and I’ll probably get him and I in trouble for this at some point during the season, I don’t think there is an offensive lineman in the state who can block him one on one.”

And just in case Gerson isn’t a big enough problem for opposing offenses to deal with, teams have to worry about inside linebacker Matt Walsh, too.

“He always finds his way to the ball, no matter what,” said Gerson of his teammate. “He reads the play so fast, and he’s so quick and agile he will get there. He’s the heart of our defense.”

Together, Gerson and Walsh are arguably the top 1-2 defensive punch in the state and are a huge reason why the Tigers are contenders to repeat as Class L champions.

Fillippone says he’s never had a defensive duo this good, pointing out that Walsh (headed to UConn to play fullback) is the first Football Bowl Subdivision player and Gerson (committed to Yale) is the third Football Championship Subdivision player in his 23 years as head coach.

From press release:

The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced today the names of the 26 finalists for the 2012 NFF High School National Scholar-Athlete Awards, which will honor one young man from each of the country's five regions as the best and the brightest for their accomplishments as athletes, scholars and citizens at the high school level. The five winners, who are now playing college football but are being recognized for their previous accomplishments in high school, will be announced the week of October 8. 

Former Xavier standout Sean Marinan, Jr., now at UConn, is a Northeast nominee.

"We take great pride in the work of the NFF Chapter Network," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "Each year our chapters honor thousands of student-athletes who have excelled in all aspects of their lives. It is an incredibly difficult task choosing 26 finalists from thousands of honorees, and even nearly impossible to select just one winner from each of our five regions."

With 120 chapters and more than 12,000 members, the NFF Chapter Network impacts more than 400,000 student-athletes at 4,800 high schools in 47 states each year. The centerpiece of their efforts are the annual chapter awards banquets, which recognize more than 3,300 of the nation's top scholar-athletes and distribute $1 million in scholarships. From this pool of 3,300 scholar-athletes, the chapters have nominated 26 individuals in 2012 as finalists for the highly sought-after NFF High School National Scholar-Athlete Awards. During the week of October 8, a national committee will select and announce the five winners, one from each region, of the 2012 NFF High School National Scholar-Athlete Awards.

The five winners will travel to New York City to be honored during the NFF Chapter Awards Luncheon, presented by Under Armour, on Tuesday, December 4, 2012, at the Waldorf-Astoria. First bestowed in 1991, the NFF National High School Scholar-Athlete Award has become one of the most prestigious high school honors in the country. Criteria for the award include but are not limited to academic achievement, athletic accolades and community involvement. 

EAST REGION NOMINEES

·  Benjamin Fowler from Mifflin County High School in Lewistown, Pa. Nominated by the NFF Central Pennsylvania Chapter and currently attending Juniata College (Pa.).

·  Ryan James from Piscataway High School in Piscataway, N.J. Nominated by the NFF Bill Denny/Central Jersey Chapter and currently attending Lehigh University.

·  Charles Kassis from Pope Paul IV High School in Fairfax, Va. Nominated by the NFF National Capital (Va.) Chapter and currently attending Johns Hopkins University (Md.).

MIDWEST REGION NOMINEES

·  Luke Duffy from St. Edward Central Catholic High School in Elgin, Ill. Nominated by the NFF Chicago Metro Chapter and currently attending Washington University in St. Louis (Mo.).

·  Jesse Hiss from Basehor-Linwood High School in Basehor, Kan. Nominated by the NFF Sunflower (Kan.) Chapter and currently attending the University of Colorado.

·  Shawn Shillcox from Two Rivers High School inTwo Rivers, Wis. Nominated by the NFF Wisconsin Chapter and currently attending the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

·  Dayton Snyder from West Lafayette High School in West Lafayette, Ind. Nominated by the NFF Joe Tiller/Northwest Indiana Chapter and currently attending Case Western Reserve University (Ohio).

·  Patrick Towles from Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, Ky. Nominated by the NFF Greater Cincinnati Chapter and currently attending the University of Kentucky.

NORTHEAST REGION NOMINEES

·  John Bieren, Jr. from Nashua High School South in Nashua, N.H. Nominated by the NFF Joe Yukica/New Hampshire Chapter and currently attending the University of Massachusetts.

·  Sean Marinan, Jr. from Xavier High School in Middletown, Conn. Nominated by the NFF Gene Casey/New Haven (Conn.) Chapter and currently attending the University of Connecticut.

·  Will Twyman from Lincoln Sudbury Regional High School in Sudbury, Mass. Nominated by the NFF Jack Grinold/Eastern Massachusetts Chapter and currently attending Brown University.

·  Samuel Jay Yules from Moses Brown School in Providence, R.I. Nominated by the NFF Emo DiNitto/Rhode Island Chapter and currently attending Stanford University.

SOUTH REGION NOMINEES

·  John Thomas Blasingame IV from Benjamin E. Mays High School in Atlanta, Ga. Nominated by the NFF Greater Atlanta Chapter and currently attending Rice University.

·  Richard Tyler Campbell from Northwest Guilford High School in Greensboro, N.C. Nominated by the NFF Corrigan/Faircloth (N.C.) Chapter and currently attending Guilford College (N.C.).

·  Britt Colcolough from Memphis University High School in Memphis, Tenn. Nominated by the NFF Memphis (Tenn.) Chapter and currently attending Princeton University.

·  Alex Lyons from DeSoto High School in DeSoto, Texas. Nominated by the NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas Chapter and currently attending Rice University.

·  Tanner Moore from Seminole High School in Seminole, Texas. Nominated by the NFF Texas Tech Chapter and currently attending West Texas A&M University.

·  Darius Paulk from Richland Northeast High School in Columbia, S.C. Nominated by the NFF Midlands (S.C.) Chapter and currently attending North Greenville University (S.C.).

·  Alex Yacoubian from Jesuit High School in New Orleans, La. Nominated by the NFF Allstate Sugar Bowl (La.) Chapter and currently attending Washington and Lee University (Va.).

WEST REGION NOMINEES

·  Jeremiah Allison from Dorsey High School in Los Angeles, Calif. Nominated by the NFF Los Angeles Chapter and currently attending Washington State University.

·  Charles Bertoli from St. Helena High School in St. Helena, Calif. Nominated by the NFF Northern California Chapter and currently attending Boise State University.

·  Jeff Lindquist from Mercer Island High School in Mercer Island, Wash. Nominated by the NFF Seattle/King County Chapter and currently attending the University of Washington.

·  Gerard Martinez from Cimarron-Memorial High School in Las Vegas, Nev. Nominated by the NFF Bill Ireland/Las Vegas Chapter and currently attending the University of Notre Dame.

·  David Trompke from Rocky Mountain High School in Meridian, Idaho. Nominated by the NFF Southern Idaho Chapter and currently attending Harvard University.

·  Joshua Weeks from Show Low High School in Show Low, Ariz. Nominated by the NFF Valley of the Sun (Ariz.) Chapter and currently attending Brigham Young University.

·  Cooper Wise from Powell High School in Powell, Wyo. Nominated by the NFF Wyoming Chapter and currently attending the University of Wyoming.

For tickets to the Dec. 4 luncheon in New York, please contact Ron Dilatush at rdilatush@footballfoundation.com or by calling 972-556-1000.

Took a few weeks off this summer but now, as my fifth grade teacher used to remind  us during the first few weeks back that school year, it's time to clean the sand from my ears, put away the flip flops and get back to work.

The 2012 High School Football Season officially begins with the start of conditioning this week.

Per CIAC rules:
 
For schools that DO NOT CONDUCT SPRING FOOTBALL PRACTICE:
Conditioning: Aug. 15
First practice: Aug. 21
For schools that CONDUCT SPRING FOOTBALL PRACTICE:
Conditioning: Aug. 20
First practice: Aug. 25

Here's what I learned this summer on the state high school football scene:

HAND RB/LB Matt Walsh committed to UCONN 

Ansonia's Nolan Athletic Complex vandalized

UCONN's Casey Cochran sidelined with broken thumb

Rico Brogna resigns after one season at Notre Dame-Fairfield

Hyde coach Melvin Wells returns to position after being cleared of wrongdoing in alleged incident with student

Our friends from the NVL blog reported that Sacred Heart WR David Coggins, who committed to play at Boston College, transferred to Naugatuck, and that Pat Russo is OUT as head coach at Wilby. Read about these stories here.

Starting on Tuesday at this blog, I'll begin to preview the 2012 season with my What To Look For (W2L4) feature. I'll give you some information about teams, leagues, players and games to watch this year.

UConn and UMass, according to Ansonia coach Tom Brockett.

Newsome was the Register State Player of the Year in 2011 while leading the Chargers to the Class M state title as a sophomore.

By Chip Malafronte, Register Staff
cmalafronte@nhregister.com / Twitter: @ChipMalafronte

Graham Stewart, a former Register All-State football pick out of Xavier, has transferred to UConn after spending last year at Florida. The 6-foot-1, 227-pound linebacker, who resides in Durham, is currently enrolled in summer school courses at UConn and has three years of eligibility.

Last fall, Stewart, as a true freshman, played in 12 games for the Gators with one tackle. He scored a touchdown in the Gator Bowl against Ohio State after returning a blocked punt 14 yards to the end zone.

At Xavier, Stewart had 111 tackles with five sacks and an interception as a senior. The Falcons defense gave up just 116 points in 13 games, won the Class LL championship and were ranked No. 1 in the final Register Top 10 poll.

UCONN

EAST HARTFORD — Chandler Whitmer is certainly happy he’s not in Kansas anymore. And not just because he avoided a series of tornadoes last weekend that ripped through Butler County, where he attended community college last fall.

Whitmer, who transferred to UConn in January, made quite an impression in his Connecticut debut at Rentschler Field on Saturday. He completed 18-of-27 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns to lead his White team to a 14-5 victory during the Huskies annual spring game before a crowd of 5,500.

“I have a lot of friends still out there,” said Whitmer, a third-year sophomore with three seasons of eligibility remaining. “(The tornadoes) were scary for them. I’ll be honest, I do miss the place. But it’s definitely nice to be out here.”

Read more from Chip Malafronte here.

YALE

WEST HAVEN — As the spring session came to an end Saturday, Yale’s new head coach Tony Reno remained tightlipped about the Bulldogs quarterback situation.

“They both did a nice job and made some plays,” Reno said. “We want to let that thing sort out. We want to make sure we make the right decision on that one.”

PHOTOS: Yale Blue-White scrimmage

While Reno chose to remain quiet following the Bulldogs Blue-White scrimmage at the Yale Bowl, it’s hard to believe junior quarterback John Whitelaw doesn’t have an edge in the race heading into the summer. He’s the only quarterback on the roster who threw a pass for Yale last season.

Read more from Chris Hunn here.

NEW HAVEN

WEST HAVEN — University of New Haven sophomore running back Mike DeCaro thought he could’ve done better during the spring. According to DeCaro, he had missed some practices because of class and even in the spring game he didn’t think he performed well. However, the final score is all that counts, even in an exhibition game.

“There was 40 seconds left,” DeCaro said, “there is always an incentive to win.”

DeCaro’s 60-yard catch and scamper led to a Demetrius Washington-Ellison touchdown late in fourth quarter to give the White Team a 7-6 victory over the Blue Team at Ralph F. DellaCamera Stadium on Saturday morning.

Read more from Henry Chisholm here.

UNH receiver Josh Smart











WEST HAVEN — University of New Haven wide receiver Josh Smart describes himself as a possession receiver.

Smart takes pride in taking on linebackers over the middle and crushing charging safeties and cornerbacks. However, even the tough guys get scared sometimes.

“I just remember freshman year,” Smart said, “being nervous, 18 years old going against these 23-year-old grown men around the conference. It was real nerve-wracking.”

Read more from Henry Chisholm here.



STORRS — Max DeLorenzo took a handoff, slipped through the line and broke to the outside for 30 yards.

It was another big gainer for UConn’s tailback from Berlin, who had an impressive spring practice Saturday. Linebacker Sio Moore, watching the play from the sideline, shook his head and wondered if it wasn’t someone else wearing the No. 44 jersey.

“He looks like Mike Alstott running the ball,” Moore said.

Moore pretty much hit the analogy on the head. DeLorenzo, a 5-foot-11, 213-pound redshirt freshman, looked an awful lot like a smaller version of Alstott, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers power back.

Read more from Chip Malafronte here.

Xavier defensive end Sean Marinan, Jr. confirmed Friday that he’s been accepted at UConn and will join the football team as a preferred walk-on.

Sean Marinan, Sr., the Falcons’ head coach and Sean’s father, said Huskies coach Paul Pasqualoni contacted the family on National Signing Day (Feb. 1) and extended the offer to Marinan, Jr.

“My son wanted to speak to him directly,” Marinan, Sr. said. “That night they were able to talk and my son gave him the answer a couple of days after that.”

Under preferred walk-on status, a player is promised a roster spot and reports with the scholarship players for fall camp a few weeks before classes start. If money becomes available, then a scholarship could be awarded to that player.

This past fall, Marinan, Jr. (6-foot, 250 pounds) made 64 tackles and three sacks and led Xavier in quarterback knockdowns while leading the Falcons to their second straight Class LL state title.

Marinan, Jr. was considering attending Yale before former coach Tom Williams resigned in December. Since, Marinan, Jr. said the Bulldogs appeared to have lost interest in him. Marinan, Jr. then contemplated attending Wesleyan, until UConn offered.

“I was going to commit to Wesleyan, but I couldn’t pass up the offer (from UConn),” Marinan, Jr. said. “Everyone says I’m too short (to play Division I football), but now I have this shot to try to prove everyone wrong.”

Hillhouse's Rennick Bryan signs with UConn (video)

National Signing Day List

UCONN FOOTBALL: Casey Cochran heads recruting class (video)

Golden among four from Cheshire Academy to sign with colleges

Masuk Sr. QB Casey Cochran was chosen as the Gatorade State Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

The 6-foot-2, 205- pound Cochran, who is headed to UConn next fall, has led the Panthers to an 11-0 record and a berth in the Class L state semifinals, where the Panthers will face Hand on Saturday at 7 p.m. at West Haven's Ken Strong Stadium.

Cochran has passed for 2,801 yards and 36 TDs through 11 games. In the classroom, Cochran has maintained a 3.92 GPA, won the Masuk High Book Award for Introduction to Engineering and Algebra I and Geometry, and has volunteered at area food banks, as a youth football coach and as a peer tutor.

Info. from Milford Academy coach Bill Chaplick

Milford Academy rolled to its 10th straight win after a 40-27 victory over Erie Community College Sunday in Buffalo, N.Y. to remain unbeaten for the year.

UCONN commit Montrell Dobbs led the team with 38 carries for 206 yards and one touchdown. Dobbs leads all rushers with 18 touchdowns and 1,200 yards.

The Falcons have won 21 of the last 22 games. Milford Academy plays Globe Institute of Technology on Nov. 5th at 3 p.m. in New York City.

Hillhouse lineman Rennick Bryan gave his oral commitment to play football at UConn Wednesday. The 6-foot-3, 305 pound senior is the third state player in recent weeks to accept an offer from the Huskies.

"Rennick Bryan gave his verbal commitment to UConn," Hillhouse coach Tom Dyer confirmed. "We're very excited."

Bryan is projected to be a guard or center prospect for UConn. He had also received an offer from Temple. The offer to Bryan from the Huskies might be a surprise to some but Dyer said the interest has "been there for awhile".

"We choose not to go around telling everyone that he had these offers and interest," Dyer added, "but UConn's been all over him."

UConn offensive coordinator George DeLeone, a New Haven native, was instrumental in recruiting Bryan. Paul Pasqualoni, another Connecticut product, was named the Huskies' head coach in the off-season.

"They're going after Connecticut kids," Dyer said about DeLeone and Pasqualoni.

Former Ansonia running back Montrell Dobbs is expected to join the UConn team in January after prepping a semester at Milford Academy. Masuk quarterback Casey Cochran recently gave his oral commitment to play for the Huskies next fall.

Hillhouse offensive lineman Rennick Bryan, a 6-foot-3, 305 pound senior, gave his oral commitment to play at UConn, according to Hillhouse coach Tom Dyer.

Dyer was on his way into practice when reached by phone moments ago, but confirmed the news.

Check back later for updated information on this story.

Less than a week after Masuk quarterback Casey Cochran received a scholarship offer to play football at UConn Cochran has accepted, giving the Huskies an oral commitment Sunday.

The reigning Gatorade state player of the year and Register All-State selection, Cochran said a number of factors played a role in him choosing to play for the Huskies.

"It's my home state," Cochran said. "It's such an honor to get a scholarship from my home state school."

Cochran went on an unofficial visit to the Storrs campus on Sunday and made his intentions clear to UConn head coach Paul Pasqualoni. Cochran also received an offer from Boston College, while Yale, Princeton and Penn offered Cochran a "spot" with their programs. Ivy League schools don't offer athletic scholarships.

Since Pasqualoni joined the UConn program, Cochran said he made three or four visits to the campus.

"I have a great relationship with the staff," said Cochran, who has thrown for over 6,000 career yards and 70 touchdowns. "The program is headed in the right direction and I am very excited to get up there."

Cochran led Masuk to the Class L state title last season. He won the Class SS title as a member of New London as a freshman in 2008.